The historic lack of ice on the Great Lakes this winter has early-season anglers “clogging” the Detroit River, according to freighter captains, while in Florida, dozens of women will perfect their angling skills at Ladies Let’s Go Fishing.

In Michigan, anglers are already out in full force to chase fish in the Detroit River, causing close calls with massive freighters, according to the Windsor Port Authority and reported on CTV News out of Windsor, Ontario.

“We’ve had several near misses between lakers and freighters this past weekend, with fishermen refusing to get out of the way,” said harbormaster Peter Berry.

One of the near misses, according to Berry, turned into an argument between the ship’s captain and a handful of anglers. The captain was yelling from the ship’s bridge, and anglers in three fishboats were yelling back that he should get out of their way because this was their spot, refusing to move.

The ice is nil, the bite is hot, and this is a great time to get out there, the anglers claimed. So thousands of boats are fishing early this year. And not just on the Detroit River. Across the south shore of ice-free Lake Erie, anglers have been hitting the launch ramps virtually all winter to chase walleye.

But it’s also a fact that commercial traffic has the right of way in shipping channels like the Detroit River, and Berry says “even if a fisherman has found his so-called ‘honey spot,’ they need to move or the repercussions could be deadly.”

Law enforcement actions in the past have been toward education. But with the number of boats on the water — and most are respectful of freighter traffic — law enforcement is issuing $500 tickets for impeding a commercial vessel. And if a boater causes damage to a commercial vessel, they could face a $100,000 fine.

There will be no controversy for the dozens of women who will be participating in the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” University that’s scheduled to return to the Florida Gulf Coast on March 23-24.

This is a inshore fishing seminar hosted at Bass Pro Shops in Fort Myers, which annually attracts women anglers from across the country. Hosted by the nonprofit Ladies Let’s Go Fishing Foundation, the event offers classroom instruction, hands-on fishing activities, conservation, networking and optional guided boat fishing. No equipment or experience required.

Called the “No Yelling School of Fishing,” it offers an immersive educational experience with presentations by Capt. Barry Nicholls on inshore/backcountry fishing and equipment, as well as conservation considerations. The sessions include hands-on practice for releasing and unhooking; knot tying; lure usage; fly, spin and net casting; fish-fighting techniques, and more conducted by local guides.

For more than 25 years, the LLGF programs, under the direction of founder Betty Bauman, have introduced more than 10,000 women to fishing. Many dealers have sponsored attendance by some of their good customers. After all, the registration fee is often as low as $99, and $55 each for mothers bringing teens. No equipment or experience is ever necessary, and the low fees are because of widespread boating and fishing industry support.

Upcoming LLGF events, with optional or included fishing are:

• March 2 Freshwater Bass Seminar, Dania Beach

• March 23-24 South Gulf Coast Saltwater Weekend Inshore Seminar, Fort Myers

• April 19-21 Florida Saltwater Weekend Seminar, Fort Lauderdale

• May 17-19 Keys Fishing, Learning on the Water, Islamorada

• Sept. 20-21 Guy Harvey Outpost Bass Seminar & Tournament, Camp Mack, Lake Wales

• Oct. 18-20 Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar, Islamorada

• Nov. 23-24 St. Augustine Surf Fishing Academy, Guy Harvey Resort

Email [email protected] for more information.